Chapter 17: A Step Into the Past

Evelyn walked through the empty streets alone this time, the soft drizzle soaking through the thin fabric of her coat. She had turned down Alexander's offer to walk her home, needing the space to process their conversation. The city, usually bustling even in the late hours, seemed eerily quiet tonight. The neon signs flickered, the sound of distant car horns breaking the silence every so often. She had spent years imagining what she would say if she ever saw him again, but now that it had actually happened, she wasn't sure how she felt.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, snapping her out of her thoughts. She hesitated before pulling it out, half expecting to see Alexander's name on the screen. Instead, it was a message from her best friend, Lily.

Lily: Are you alive? It's been HOURS, woman! Spill the tea!

Evelyn let out a dry chuckle, her fingers hovering over the screen. How could she possibly summarize everything that had just happened in a text? With a sigh, she typed back a quick response.

Evelyn: It's complicated. I'll call you tomorrow.

The three little dots appeared for a moment before Lily sent another text.

Lily: That means it's REALLY complicated. You better not ghost me!

Evelyn shook her head but smiled. If there was anyone who could make her feel grounded after a night like this, it was Lily. Tucking her phone away, she continued walking, her thoughts swirling in an endless loop.

By the time she reached her apartment, she was exhausted, both mentally and physically. She tossed her wet coat over the chair, flopped onto the couch, and stared at the ceiling. Alexander's words kept playing in her mind. Had he really changed? Did he really regret leaving? And more importantly—did it even matter anymore? She had spent so long convincing herself that she had moved on, that she was fine without him. But now, all of that certainty had been shattered in a single evening.

She sighed, reaching for the blanket draped over the couch. As she pulled it over herself, she promised that she wouldn't let this consume her. She had lived without him before. She could do it again if she had to.

The next morning, Evelyn was woken up by the sound of her phone ringing. She groggily reached for it, squinting at the screen. It was Lily, of course.

"Okay, I let you sleep. Now TALK," Lily demanded the moment Evelyn answered.

Evelyn groaned, rubbing her temple. "It's too early for this."

"It's past ten. Spill. Now."

Evelyn sighed, sitting up. "Fine. I saw Alexander."

There was silence on the other end. Then, a dramatic gasp. "I KNEW IT! I had a feeling! Wait, how? Why? What happened?"

"He showed up out of nowhere," Evelyn explained. "He wanted to talk. Said he regrets leaving."

Lily scoffed. "Oh, please. Regret doesn't erase years of radio silence. Did he give an actual reason for disappearing?"

"He said he thought he was doing the right thing. That he was 'protecting' me or some nonsense."

Lily groaned loudly. "Ugh. Classic male logic. 'I know what's best for you, so I'm going to make a huge decision without your input.' What a hero."

Evelyn chuckled despite herself. "Yeah, it was something like that."

"Okay, but be honest. How did it feel seeing him again?"

Evelyn hesitated, chewing on her lip. "I don't know. I was angry at first. Still am, I think. But also…" She trailed off, unsure of how to put the rest into words.

"You still have feelings for him."

"I didn't say that," Evelyn protested.

"You didn't have to," Lily said smugly. "Look, I get it. First loves are messy. But don't let nostalgia cloud your judgment. He left you once, Eve. Who's to say he won't do it again?"

Evelyn swallowed. That was the question, wasn't it?

Lily sighed. "Look, I'm not saying you shouldn't talk to him. Just… don't forget what you went through. And don't let him waltz back in like nothing happened."

"I won't," Evelyn promised. "I just need time to figure things out."

"Good. And if you need me to accidentally spill coffee on him next time I see him, just say the word."

Evelyn laughed. "Noted."

After hanging up, she stared at her phone for a long moment. Then, before she could overthink it, she opened her messages and typed out a text to Alexander.

Evelyn: Let's meet again. Just to talk.

A reply came almost instantly.

Alexander: Name the time and place.

Evelyn took a deep breath. This was just a conversation. That was all. She wasn't making any decisions yet.

But deep down, she knew—this was the beginning of something she might not be able to walk away from.